Meeting Minutes for April 15, 2025
Habitat
Community Development District
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Habitat Community Development District was held in the Bella Terra Clubhouse at 20070 Bella Terra Boulevard in Estero, Florida and also via web conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Larry Roth – Chair
Norman Reno – Vice Chair
Linda Lea Gibson – Assistant Secretary
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary
James Meek – Assistant Secretary
Also present:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
David Schmitt – Engineer, Bowman Engineering
Will Kollman – Estate Landscaping
Russ Nunan- Estate Landscaping
Eleven Residents
Attending remotely:
Greg Urbancic – Attorney, Coleman, Yovanovich & Koester, P.A.
The following is a summary of the actions taken at the Habitat Community Development District Board of Supervisors Meeting.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair Roth called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., and the roll was called. All Board members were present. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager; Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager; Chris Pepin, the Field Manager; David Schmitt, the Engineer; Will Kollman and Russ Nunan from Estate Landscaping; and Eleven Residents. Attending remotely was Greg Urbancic, the Attorney.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Pledge of Allegiance
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was presented.
Add 7Di Amended and Restated Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement
Add 7G Guardhouse Inspection Report
Add 7H Hardwood Pruning Proposal for 21101 BTB.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda, as amended.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Reas Graber commented on irrigation concerns stemming from the road project.
Diane Meek commented on Zillow’s evaluation of property values, and how it affects the homeowners.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Consent Agenda
A. Items to Be Pulled for Discussion
No item was pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved all Consent Items, as presented.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2025
ii. Financial Report for March 2025
iii. Project Tracking Logs
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Staff Reports
A. Irrigation Contractor
District Manager Teague stated that staff is still waiting on a quote for irrigation controllers. They expect to receive it in the next few weeks.
B. District Manager
i. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussion
District Manager Teague stated that the District will have an overage of $129,000 without assessment increase. He reviewed funding and possible projects they may undertake.
Supervisor Meek stated that the bond should be paid off in about 10 years, which could lower assessments. However, District Manager Teague stated that refinancing the bond can prevent the costs associated with a new bond offering. There is also an option to take out a loan. He stated that loan terms are typically five years or less, while bonds are six years or longer. He also stated that the Board may not need to raise assessments.
At the next meeting the Board will decide if they accept the proposed Budget and the assessment in the levy. Chair Roth asked that the Board members forward any changes, modifications, or ideas to staff by May 2nd, so a draft can be distributed for review ahead of the next meeting.
ii. FEMA Reimbursement Update
District Manager Teague stated that the only recent update is that FEMA has received the District’s most recent appeal, and staff should receive another update in a few months. This item will be removed from the Agenda until there is an update.
iii. Drainage Concern at 21019 Torre Del Lago St. Update
This project has been completed.
iv. Prescribed Burn Investigation
District Manager Teague reported that Chair Roth met with Keyland Amig from GroundLevel, and, in concert with Field Manager Pepin’s opinion, he believes that the preserves are beautiful and in no need of a prescribed burn. Mr. Amig stated there is more danger from a fire outside of the District than from one starting within. Supervisor Meek mentioned that invasives that are on HOA controlled property which abut CDD property and how they are spreading.
C. Field Manager
i. Current Field Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report, and the following was discussed:
Concerning the oak trees at the emergency gate, Chris stated that a plan has been developed to correct their poor installation.
Field Manager Pepin asked the vendor to sweep the streets again due to the amount of leaves, which was completed.
Chris stated that the striping has been completed, but that some of the RPMs are still missing.
He asked the Board about utilizing a different color RPM, such as purple, to identify isolation valves. The Board agreed.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board approved installing reflective pavement markers of a different color to highlight isolation valves, not to exceed $2,000.
Chris asked the Board if they would like him to turn on the recharge wells for the lakes, as the lakes are getting low. He was given the Board’s authorization to turn them on and decide how long the pumps will run.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved the Field Manager to turn on the recharge wells.
ii. Project Updates
a. Storm Water Management System Inspection Update
The inspection of the stormwater system has been completed.
b. Additional Storm Water Pipe Cleaning Proposal
Field Manager Pepin expressed some concerns about the accuracy of the quote received from MRI and recommended televising the lines to confirm the accuracy.
On MOTION by Supervisor Gibson, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved FGIS to televise the stormwater system, not to exceed $2,100.
D. Attorney
i. Mary Ann Lauria Update
There is no update.
iii. Kenneth Jay Riha Update
There is no update.
Attorney Urbancic stated that he continues to monitor the State legislation for bills under consideration that will affect the District. He will notify the Board when there are updates.
E. Engineer
i. Emergency Exit Update
Engineer Schmitt stated that they have received a permit for the emergency gate.
As was discussed above, there are issues with the oak trees that were planted, and a plan has been developed to correct the poor installation. Field Manager Pepin and Supervisor Licht will work with Estate to move them.
ii. Road Project Update
Engineer Schmitt stated that the vendor believes they are finished with the project and would like to schedule a final walkthrough with him. Engineer Schmitt stated that he is not ready to inspect their work as of yet. The vendor is seeking payment for their change order, and they have secured an attorney. There was extensive discussion on this issue. Attorney Urbancic recommended that the Board discuss this issue with his colleague. Staff will schedule a meeting.
On MOTION by Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board authorized staff to consult an attorney, and put the road project’s vendor on notice that they are in default.
a. Estate Irrigation Invoice
Will Kollmann and Russ Nunan from Estate were present to discuss the disputed invoices for manual irrigation during the road project. Mr. Kollmann acknowledged that their former manager improperly irrigated, which has caused the expenses to accumulate. The vegetation received the water, but he expressed regret for the manner in which it was completed. Chair Roth expressed his displeasure that the vendor submitted a charge without permission. In an effort to correct the error, Mr. Kollmann offered to cut the invoices in half and split the difference with the Board.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with 4 in favor, and Chair Roth opposed, the Board approved the District to pay 50% of the charges on the invoices for manual irrigation.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Discussion/Action Items
A. Water Quality of Clock Tower Pools
Vice Chair Reno stated he needs to check the water quality again along with the water bills. He requested to table this item until next month.
B. Clock Tower Tile Replacement Proposal
Vice Chair Reno stated that Field Manager Pepin developed a very good plan, and he reviewed the items that need to be addressed before the project can begin. He spoke briefly about cleaning the tower versus full replacement. Also, as the District looks at the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, they may want to set money aside for this project. Supervisor Meek also mentioned that the HOA and the CDD had agreed to paint at the same time, but this needs to be coordinated. An HOA committee has already started the conversation about new painting colors. This item was tabled until Vice Chair Reno can complete further investigation.
C. Proposals To Replace UV Lights in Clock Tower Pools
Field Manager Pepin presented three proposals from VIP Pools. Two were for replacing UV lighting in the clock tower pools. The third proposal was a quote was creating an injection system for chlorine and acid to be added directly on a timer. This system would allow for a different type of water softening system. Field Manager Pepin stated that he is in favor of the auto injection system. Engineer Schmitt stated that there are pros and cons, but this could be a possible solution, since the equipment is already there.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Reno, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposals for the replacment of UV lighting in the clock tower pools and the creation of an injection system.
Supervisor Gibson left at 5:21pm.
D. HOA/CDD Gatehouse/Security Agreement Discussion
Supervisor Meek met with the new HOA President, and they discussed the gatehouse division of responsibility. The HOA has agreed to remove the word “deny” from the post orders. The HOA also understands that the streets are public and have agreed to state in the post orders that the roads will be operated as such. Supervisor Meek reviewed other specifics of the agreement.
The Board thanked Bob Vaa for his work on this agreement.
i. Amended and Restated Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement
An amended agreement was submitted and discussed above, and the Board approved it.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Vice Chair Reno, with all in favor, the Board approved the amended facilities operation and maintenance agreement.
ii. First Draft of Agreement
This was discussed above.
E. Lakes to be Transferred from HOA to CDD Follow-up
Attorney Urbancic will forward the most recent agreement to staff, who will forward it to the HOA for their signature.
F. Cul de Sac Ride Around Report
Supervisor Licht submitted her cul-de-sac ride around report. She believes the vendor will do a better job on the plant installation project, but a new vendor may be needed if they do not begin the work in the near furure.
i. Estate Proposal and Comparison
Supervisor Licht discussed the proposal from Estate for the restoration of the cul-de-sacs. Some plants were different from the ride around versus the quote, but she has compared the plants and is in agreement with the quote.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal to purchase and install vegetation in the cul-de-sacs, not to exceed $9,000.
G. Guardhouse Inspection Report
Supervisor Licht submitted a guardhouse inspection report. She stated that the CAM will correct the deficiencies. The CAM will also see that the window is tinted. It was stated that when the air conditioner breaks, it will need replacement. She would like to move the bug zapper plug. Field Manager Pepin researched the cost and believes it is approximately $1,500 to move it.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with 2 in favor, and 2 opposed, the Board voted to move an outlet in the guardhouse. Motion failed.
H. Hardwood Pruning Proposal for 21101 BTB
A resident requested that the CDD prune some hardwood trees on their property, because they are concerned about future damage. Field Manager Pepin submitted a quote of $500. The Board wondered about the location of the trees, and if they are CDD responsibility. They denied the request, and Field Manager Pepin will inform the resident.
On MOTION by Chair Roth, with no second and no vote, the Board considered pruning a resident’s hardwood trees. Motion failed.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
Norm Arflack stated that the HOA thanks Supervisor Meek and staff for working with HOA President Lieberman on the Facilities and Maintenance Agreement.
A. Request from B&T Committee for New Benches Placement
The Building and Tangibles committee requested the installation of 2 benches along Bella Terra Boulevard at their own expense and maintenance.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Chair Roth, with all in favor, the Board approved the installation of 2 benches along Bella Terra Boulevard.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests
Chair Roth requested that staff ensure that all contracts and proposals include a line stating prices may not be increased once the proposal is signed.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Diane Meek asked questions about the SFWMD and the requirements for preserve areas.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Chair Roth, the meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
The Next Regular Meeting is on May 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.